Myanmar Geography

Location of Myanmar

Myanmar (Burma) is geographically located in Southeast Asia, bordering Bay of Bengal and the Andaman sea to the west and south, Bangladesh and India to the north and China, Thailand, and Laos to the east.

Naypyidaw is the new official capital of Myanmar since 2005, Yangon (rangoon) remains the largest city and commercial hub of the country.

Myanmar History

Pre-colonial Era

Repeated change of capital cities and the many and varied ethnic groups and nationalities in Myanmar stand witness to a tumultuous past. Out of all the historical events and people, King Anawrahta, who came into power in the early stages of the 11th century, stands out as the ruler who unified the country and initiated the first Myanmar Empire in Bagan. This rule lasted for two centuries, extending its reign to the entire Menem Valley in Thailand, surpassing the present day Myanmar border. King Anawrahta was followed by King Bayinnaung who formed the second Myanmar empire in the 16th Century. The last Myanmar dynasty was founded by King Alaungpaya in 1752.

Living under foreign Rule

During the peak of King Alaungpaya's empire (1852), the English sailed into change the history of the country. Myanmar witnessed yet another rule by a foreign power during the Japanese occupation of its territory from 1942 until the return of the Allied Forces in 1945.

End of Foreign Rule

After surviving a colonial administration of more than 100 years, Myanmar became an independent nation in January 1948 due to the independence struggle by the likes of General Aung San, (the father of the noted democracy heroine Aung San Suu Kyi), who was ruthlessly killed by his political rivals a month before the independence.

Iron rule of the Military Junta

From 1962 to 2011, Myanmar withered under the cloudy rule of a military dictatorship, which justified its tough grip on the country by pointing at ethnic conflicts and tension that have continued to trouble Myanmar since the end of the Second World War. As a result of isolation and marginalization of some minority ethnic groups of the country from its central power, Myanmar carries the burden of tolerating the longest running civil war in the world today.

First step of Democracy

Myanmar is slowly shaking its dust off and gathering up speed in its growth with its new found democracy which came to being when Thein Sein, the current president of Myanmar, embarked on new reforms after winning the Presidential election in 2010. These dramatic reforms allowed a bi-election that saw the NLD (Aung San Suu Kyi's party) win many parliamentary seats. It also introduced trade unions, released political prisoners, allowed greater media freedom and began peace talks with ethnic groups.

Open frontiers to visitors

Despite the efforts of the government, Myanmar continues to suffer from ethnic conflict and poverty. However, on a brighter note, removal of international sanctions imposed on Myanmar keeps its people hoping for a brighter future, which they so richly deserve.